What if.....

[BradH]

I would collect more antique toys. I have actually had a few small "finds" over the years that have been fun (and in some cases profitable, although that's not why I buy them).

With baseball cards, I've always collected sets and players that I really like and that look nice, and I think that's why I dabble a little bit in old toys and games - they're cool, they look great and they take me back to a good time in my childhood, or to something that previous generations enjoyed.

[Frozen in Time]

Thanks guys, this is interesting. Steve's collecting interests appear to have been formulated, at least in part, by his family's influences growing up. Brad's interests in toys and games take him back to his childhood - a common theme in collecting.

Although there are many reasons for collecting (probably as many as the individuals doing the collecting) at least for sports-related stuff it seems some of the most common are:

1. Relive childhood memories
2. Acquire items that one enjoyed growing up
3. Acquire items that one wanted but could not afford
4. Building a shrine to one's hero or team
5. Simply for the love of the game and to appreciate, and perhaps uncover, additional historical significance
6. The tenacity to complete a set or series

Can you think of any additional reasons for collecting sports-related items and , if you were to collect in other areas, would the same reasons apply?

[travrosty]

roman coins, kind of fun to hold coins almost 2000 years old.

[khkco4bls]

I collected antique phonographs. Outside horn oak phonos. Still love em. Had about 15. Still have 3 until I found my first old bat in my wifes grandmothers garage.

[39special]

Old drag racing stuff.Vintage speed equipment,old hot rod magazines,old drag racing programs,old signs,anything to do with pre '70's drag racing.

[David W]

Pix of dead presidents

[ibuysportsephemera]

I am a volunteer firefighter, so I would focus on ephemera related to firefighting.

Jeff

[perezfan]

Disneyana, Vintage Toys, Beatles memorabilia would be my top 3 fall-backs.

[deebro041]

Paper money and coins, beer caps, old candy wrappers and without sports...dust!

I would have to augment my other collecting interests; Newspapers, Coins, and my favorite pastime, collecting vinyl. Similar to collecting cards... a person has to search through boxes of A-ha, and Flock of Seagulls albums to find that rare slab of sound. Collecting records tends to have some focus, usually by genre.

My Vintage Vinyl interest: No, not 16 or 78 RPM slabs... but obscure 60's psychedelia (13th Floor Elevators, The Count Five, etc.), and 70's punk rock (Radio Birdman, The Wipers, Dead Boys, etc). I feel bad for those left with the stacks and stacks of wax after I'm gone but just "put the headphones on and drop the moon-rock needle".

[Frozen in Time]

Originally Posted by David W

Pix of dead presidents

Now that's a category, David, I had not thought of - but might join!

[mcgwirecom]

Vintage Rock albums. Guitars.

[travrosty]

dead president pix, yes,

and ben franklin and alexander hamilton would do too. salmon p. chase would be cool too. but those out of circulation.

[carrigansghost]

Ex-wives, more than likely.

Rawn

[brickyardkennedy]

Though I sold 'em off years ago, I once collected (mostly) 1950's rhythm and blues vocal group records. Some blues, some single artists, but mostly groups.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by carrigansghost

Ex-wives, more than likely.

Rawn

If I am not careful, I might start this collection WHILE collecting cards.